Cultural festival organized to celebrate birth centenary of Bakula Rinpoche

Students presenting a song dedicated to Bakula Rinpoche.
Students presenting a song dedicated to Bakula Rinpoche.

Excelsior Correspondent
NUBRA, Oct 4: The village community of Pinchimik Nubra organized two-day cultural festival in honour of the birth centenary celebration of Padma Bhushan Gyalsras Bakula Rinpoche on 2-3 October, 2017 at Pinchimik village.
The two-day programme included  archery competition among ten teams from different villages of Nubra, folk dances, folk songs and devotional songs dedicated to Bakula Rinpoche by the students of Pinchimik School and cultural groups from Pinchimik and Sumoor, Nubra.
The highlight of the programme was the 72 years  old Rigzin Namgyal Sapchung singing the famous folk song on Bakula Rinpoche’s birth at Matho palace.
On the concluding day, Rigzin Lhundup, Councillor Tegar-Sumoor, was the chief guest and Dr Sonam Wangchok, general secretary, Organizing Committee of the Birth Centenary Celebration of Gyasras Bakula Rinpoche and president LBA Nubra, Tsewang Lhargyal were the guest of honours.
While highlighting the contributions of Bakula Rinpoche in different fields, Dr Sonam Wangchok said’ “Although whole Ladakh is celebrating the birth centenary of Gyalsras Bakula Rinpoche but it is extremely important, especially for youth of Ladakh to know
the selfless contributions and achievements of Bakula Rinpoche through interaction with elders and research. If one understands Rinpoche’s vision and mission for future of Ladakh, he or she will follow the foot steps of Bakula Rinpoche to become a useful citizen.”
LBS president Tsewang Lhargyal, in his speech,  stressed on the importance of preserving Ladakh’s own culture and heritage as a tribute to the birth centenary of Gyalsras Bakula Rinpoche.
The chief guest, Rigzin Lhundup also spoke on the life and contribution of Gyalsras Bakula Rinpoche and he appreciated the Pinchimik village community for organizing such a grand and meaningful programme in honour of the birth centenary.
MLA Nubra, Deldan Namgyal could not attend the function due to an urgent meeting at Srinagar but he announced Rs 2.00 lakh from MLA fund on the occasion to build a library in Pinchimik.
At last, the prizes for position holders in two-day archery competition were distributed. The Pinchimik team won the Bakula Rinpoche Archery Competition and the runner up position was begged by Samstan Otsal Tsogspa, Sumoor. Rigzin Nurboo of Pinchimik team was judged the best archer with highest score and Stanzin Lhundup was awarded for most number of shooting the target.